The Essential Support Team for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The development of listening and spoken language (LSL) skills for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) requires a dedicated team of professionals and family members working together. At CCHAT, we pride ourselves on employing a staff that is both highly qualified and compassionate. Each member plays a crucial role in supporting the child's hearing loss journey, creating a nurturing and effective environment that allows the child to reach his/her full potential. 

The Role of the Teacher of the Deaf: Tailored Educational Support 

The teacher on your team is a specialist in deaf education and provides tailored educational support to meet the learning needs of each child within the classroom. Teachers adapt their methods and materials to enhance the child's understanding and participation. By fostering an inclusive learning atmosphere, the teacher creates an educational setting that is both engaging and informative.

CCHAT’s well-rounded staff currently features 13 teachers of the deaf, guiding children from toddlers to 3rd grade on campus, and through high school and community transition programs in the mainstream. A dynamic staff of instructional aides provides additional assistance in the classroom, ensuring children have consistent support throughout the day. 

Speech-Language Pathologist: Enhancing Listening and Communication Skills 

A speech-language pathologist (SLP), or speech therapist, is integral to the team, focusing on developing the child's listening and oral communication abilities. Through individualized therapy sessions, the therapist works on building several key areas in a child’s development, including articulation, listening comprehension and expressive language skills. SLPs also collaborate with the family to practice strategies at home, reinforcing the skills learned in therapy.

CCHAT is home to five SLPs and one SLP assistant, all of whom boast a wealth of experience in the field. Each child receives 30 minutes of one-on-one therapy each day, which promotes development through individualized tasks and goals. 

The Importance of an Audiologist: Hearing Health Management 

The audiologist plays a pivotal role in managing the child's hearing health. They conduct regular hearing assessments to monitor the child's auditory capabilities and ensure that hearing aids or cochlear implants are functioning optimally. By fine-tuning these devices, the audiologist helps the child access sound more effectively, which is essential for LSL development. They also educate the family about the child's hearing needs and the importance of consistent device usage.

CCHAT is fortunate to have two on-site audiologists who can provide timely attention to each student’s hearing health needs. CCHAT children receive regular hearing tests, and hearing-assistive technology is frequently checked to ensure optimal sound reception. CCHAT’s audiologist also communicates with each student’s personal audiologist so that the most up-to-date information is held by both parties. 

Additional Support Staff: Comprehensive Care for Children who are DHH 

Children with hearing loss may utilize other support members on their development team. CCHAT welcomes a variety of these professionals to campus to support students, including occupational therapists, applied behavior analysts and adaptive physical education teachers. 

The Vital Role of Family Members: Communication Strategies

Family members, particularly parents or guardians, are the child's primary advocates and supporters. They provide emotional support, encouragement and reinforcement of communication skills at home. By participating in therapy sessions, observing academic lessons and collaborating with staff, family members gain the knowledge and confidence to implement effective communication strategies in daily routines. Their involvement is crucial for creating a language-rich environment that fosters the child's growth.

CCHAT works to empower and support families throughout their child’s time in the program. CCHAT equips parents with the resources to ensure that learning continues in the home. Recognizing that a hearing loss diagnosis can be unexpected for families, CCHAT strives to always be available to parents as a guiding presence during what can be an overwhelming time. 

The Power of Collaboration: Achieving Success for Children who are DHH

The collaborative efforts of the teacher, speech therapist, audiologist and family members form a cohesive support system for a child who is DHH working to develop LSL skills. By joining together, this team ensures that the child receives comprehensive, individualized support, empowering them to thrive in their communication journey and achieve short- and long-term success.